Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The questioner addresses the issue of youth reoffending, seeking information on the measures taken by the Department to address this problem.
What steps his Department has taken to reduce youth reoffending?
On 1 September, the Lord Chancellor announced from this Dispatch Box a further £4.5 million to better support and supervise children, in order to move them away from criminality. Earlier this year, we published the youth justice White Paper, and we are getting on with the job of delivering that reform across the country.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The questioner raises concerns about rising antisocial behaviour among young people in his constituency and suggests that a new youth hub in Plas Madoc would help address this issue.
Would my hon. Friend agree that a new youth hub in Plas Madoc would go a long way to addressing this problem?
My hon. Friend is right that youth services and support for early intervention is at the heart of tackling reoffending. We know that 80% of adult prolific offenders commit their first offence when they are a child, so early intervention is crucial. Dealing with young offenders is at the heart of what we published in the youth justice White Paper earlier this year and what this Government are doing.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The questioner asks about discussions with Alan Milburn regarding his review and how to ensure that young offenders are put on a more productive pathway.
What discussions has the Minister had with Alan Milburn about his review, and how can we ensure that young offenders are put on a more productive pathway?
My hon. Friend is right that tackling reoffending and youth crime needs a cross-Government effort. It is an issue for the Department for Education, the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions and indeed the Ministry of Justice. That is why on Thursday I will be in No. 10 North with colleagues from across Government launching our new strategy to devolve youth justice services so that they serve places and localities and the people within them.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The questioner expresses concern about young people committing crimes and antisocial behaviour on e-bikes and e-scooters and seeks assurance that the justice system is robust enough to punish such behaviour.
Will the Minister assure me that the justice system is robust enough to punish every individual involved in that reckless behaviour?
The hon. Member is right. It is an issue in my constituency as well: I hear about it a lot from constituents and see it for myself outside my constituency office in Dinnington. How the police enforce the law on our streets is obviously a matter for them, but I have been introducing reforms in the youth justice system to implement more rigorous community punishments for young offenders and, critically, to look at parenting orders. It is not just a job for Government to ensure that young people turn their back on crime; it is also their parents' responsibility, and we want to ensure that that responsibility is felt.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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The questioner discusses the issue of videos glorifying dangerous driving on social media and asks what steps the Ministry of Justice is taking to address this issue.
What steps is the Ministry of Justice taking to crack down on that, working with Ofcom, to achieve justice for Oakley and his family, who are campaigning to make that road safer?
The hon. Member is right to raise the issue, as death by dangerous driving is a horrific crime. In fact, straight after questions I will be meeting a victim of that very offence and next week I will meet the chair of the Sentencing Council. We can certainly look into how we can ensure that those who celebrate such offending are treated in the right way.
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